Knowledge creation represents the production and synthesis of knowledge; as knowledge moves through the following three stages, it becomes more user-friendly.
1. KNOWLEDGE INQUIRY refers to obtaining knowledge from primary studies (e.g., randomized controlled trials).
2. KNOWLEDGE SYNTHESIS refers to the collection and interpretation of results from primary studies (e.g., systematic reviews, meta-analyses).
Where to find: online databases relevant to your topic/research area (many websites require an institutional or personal account to access literature). Useful databases:
- PubMed/Medline
- Life sciences and biomedical topics
- Free, public access
- Cochrane Library
- Consists of six databases, covering medicine and other healthcare topics
- Subscription-based library
- Embase
- Biomedical and pharmacological topics
- Subscription-based database
3. KNOWLEDGE TOOLS/PRODUCTS refers to documents that present synthesized knowledge in a user-friendly format, to help health professionals and patients make evidence-based decisions (e.g., clinical practice guidelines, decision aids).
Where to find: directories, databases, organizations’/institutions’ webpages
Open-access directories/databases:
- Guidelines International Network (G-I-N)
- International guidelines on various topics
- Please note that public can search database, but only G-I-N members have permission to access guideline documents
- National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE)
- Health, public health and social care guidance
- Canadian Medical Association (CMA)
- Canadian clinical practice guidelines
- Health Systems Evidence
- Health systems guidance and policy documents
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI)
- Decision aids for various health topics
- National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (NCCMT)
- Public health-related, evidence-informed methods and tools
Information on searching for research findings and knowledge mobilization literature is available on the CIHR website.